Palen, J. S. (Joseph S.), 1912-1996.

Joseph S. Palen (1912-1996) was born in Salina, Kansas and received a degree in Veterinary Science in 1939. He served in the armed forces as a meat inspector before moving to Wyoming as the veterinarian for the Wyoming Hereford Ranch, located outside of Cheyenne, in 1946. In 1950 Palen went into private practice in Cheyenne and became involved with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Palen collected cowboy and rodeo materials starting at a young age and became an expert on rodeo history.

Joseph S. Palen (1912-1996) was born in Salina, Kansas, the son of a mule and horse rancher. He spent his childhood in Kansas and received a degree in Veterinary Science in 1939. Palen served in the armed forces as a meat inspector before moving to Wyoming as the resident veterinarian for the Wyoming Hereford Ranch in 1946. Palen went into private practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1950. In addition to collecting, Palen was involved with the Old West Museum in Cheyenne and with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Palen married Ruth Jackson in 1940 and they have two sons, Gene and "Stampede" Cartoonist Jerry Palen.

J.S. Palen was fascinated with "cowboy culture" from an early age and began his collection while still a boy. Over the years Palen's collection grew to the point that historians, museum curators, and collectors sought him out for his knowledge and expertise. Palen was, as well, a writer on rodeo history and received the Rodeo Historical Society's prestigious history award from the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.